Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Too Much Sitting Can Be Dangerous to Your Health

Not getting enough exercise is known to cause health problems, but sitting too long can pose other serious health hazards in both men and women. According to a recent study, too much sitting can lead to the development of noncancerous polyps in the colon and increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
The risk is greater among men than it is among women. The study shows that being in a sitting position for 11 hours a day or more can increase the risk of developing polyps 45 percent more than men who sat up to 7 hours a day

Here are some of the other health risks from too much sitting can produce:

It increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and deadly blood clots.

It is associated with a higher risk of colorectal, endometrial, ovarian and prostate cancer

Exercise won't make up for sitting for extended periods of time.

In this age of computer-related work, video games, iPads, and watching TV, even if you go to the gym regularly, you are at risk if most of your day is spent in sitting position activities.

How to avoid the risks

The most effective way to reduce the health risks of sitting is to break up the sitting time with regular breaks. Whether you work in an office or at home, it is important to schedule two minutes of walking every hour. For people who are obese, the walks may need to be more often in order to reduce the glucose and insulin levels in their blood.

DISCLAIMER: The content or opinions expressed on this web site are not to be interpreted as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor or medical practitioner before utilizing any suggestions on this web site.